Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary

nepotism.

Main Entry: nep·o·tism
Pronunciation: 'ne-p&-"ti-z&m
Function: noun
Etymology: French népotisme, from Italian nepotismo, from nepote nephew, from Latin nepot-, nepos grandson, nephew -- Date: 1670
Definition : favoritism shown to a relative (as by giving an appointive job) on the basis of a relationship.
- nep·o·tis·tic /"ne-p&-'tis-tik/ adjective